Booms, Busts, Battlestar Galactica: NBA Week 9

From left to right: Robert Covington, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Kevin Huerter

Getty Images, AP

Whether it all falls down like Kim and Kanye's marriage or you found your only one, scouring through the waiver wire is bound to leave you paranoid.

But if you want to be stronger and have more power in your fantasy leagues, take four, five seconds (or more) to read this column so you can find free-agent gems like a gold digger or drop a player that you don't like.

Here are some amazing and not so amazing players from the last week to help your team become champions.

Um…Jesus Walks.


Booms

Robert Covington Forward/Center Portland Trail Blazers

Some players were made for small-ball basketball while others flounder with the challenge. Robert Covington has been the former for the past week.

The former full-time small forward has flourished playing power forward and center in small-ball lineups the past few years and he's flexing that versatility in Portland. Last week, he averaged an unremarkable 9.7 points, but he added 9.3 rebounds, two made threes, 1.3 steals and a ridiculous 4.7 blocks a game.

I don't care what your height is. If you're blocking 4.7 blocks a game, you're definitely worth an add.

Davis Bertans Forward/Center Washington Wizards

The beginning of the season was not kind to the usually accurate Bertans, who was only shooting 33.9 percent from the field heading into last week. For one week at least, it looks like the Latvian Laser has his rhythm back.

Bertans hit 60.7 percent of his shots, including 64 percent from three-point range, resulting in an average of 5.3 threes made per game the last three games. He also contributed 19.7 points and one steal per game to round out what might be a turning point for the fifth-year player.


Terrence Ross Guard/Forward Orlando Magic

The Magic may be struggling to reach even the play-in tournament, but Terrence Ross is doing his part to keep the team in the hunt. The thirty-year-old vet is having his best year and last week he was on fire.

He averaged 23.7 points in three games while shooting 53.1 percent from the field, hitting four three-pointers and stealing 1.7 balls per game in that same span. If you have a chance to grab the Human Torch on the waiver wire, don't hesitate.

Robert Williams Center Boston Celtics

On a team with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker, other players tend to fall by the wayside in fans' minds, but one name fantasy managers should remember is Robert Williams.

He might have the sexiest stat lines, but he does enough dirty work that will help your team in key areas. This past week, he hit 78.3 percent of his shots, turned the ball over 0.5 times, grabbed 7.8 rebounds, stole 1.8 balls and blocked 2.5 shots per game. That is efficient production in five categories available in 27% of Yahoo leagues. Why haven't you picked him up yet?!

Busts

Lou Williams Guard Los Angeles Clippers

Last week, Lou Williams was back to being Lemon Pepper Lou. This week, he's right back to being Louis Williams, the struggling shooter.

While he has been averaging 14.5 points a game, he's only shot 38.1 percent from the field and only hitting one three per game in that same span. He has been a decent enough playmaker to offset some of his inaccuracy (five assists per game), so it may be worth it to hold onto him for at least another week.

De'Aaron Fox Point Guard Sacramento Kings

Yes, Fox still averaged 15.8 points, 9.3 assists and 18 steals last week, but he needs to provide so much more if he wants to live up to his high draft status in many fantasy leagues.

The Sacramento guard finished last week shooting 39.7 percent from the field and 60 percent from the charity stripe. He also turned the ball over 3.8 times and only made one three per game in that same span.

It may be time for Fox to be an All-Star, but his lack of production in fantasy has some managers putting him in time out instead.


Kevin Huerter Guard/Forward Atlanta Hawks

With so many injuries and COVID absences, many managers have turned to Kevin Huerter to help boost their teams. Unfortunately, his help has been more Andy Bernard than Dwight Schrute in terms of support quality.

The Hawks guard only averaged 7.8 points on 35.3 percent shooting while only making one three-pointer and grabbing 2.3 rebounds per game. If he's putting up those kinds of numbers while averaging 33.1 minutes in that span, it may be time to move on to greener pastures.

Russell Westbrook Point Guard Washington Wizards

Wait a second! How can a guy averaging a triple-double the last week be considered a bust? Well, those are the only categories he's positively contributing to.

He's shooting 44.4 percent from the field, turning the ball over 6.7 times, accounting for 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks all while hitting zero three-pointers the last three games. He may be a former MVP, but he is also a bottom-tier fantasy contributor in 8-cat and 9-cat formats, no matter how much he is contributing to three categories.

Terms & Conditions: 21+ and present in CO, IA, IL, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA or WV. New users only. Must wager in designated offer market. $10 first deposit required. $150 max bonus. See full terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call: 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, IL, VA), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).